A to Z Challenge: My theme this year is NYC before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
STREET ART: Street art can consists of several types of art including installations and performance, but for this post, I’m focusing on murals and artwork (some commissioned; others not). I don’t have enough room here (or knowledge) to offer even the basic history of street art; you can find an insane amount of articles online about it. NYC is plastered with amazing street art, from amateurs to the well known, like this Banksy, entitled “Hammer Boy” on 79th St. between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave.
There are also several by Brazilian artist, Eduardo Kobra whose recognizable style involves bright colors and bold lines within a kaleidoscope style. His work is incredible.
Coming across street art makes me happy, whether it’s a tiny little heart, or a massive mural. I may not always understand the artist’s message, but I appreciate it’s there.
SUPPORT: This is something I feel we ought to be doing all the time, but if there’s any time to offer support, it’s now. You might feel your reserves are running low because you’re needing assistance, too, but there are various ways to lend a germ-free hand.
Emotional support can go a long way, so reach out to friends and family through text, email, and video chat. Allowing someone to air their sorrows and fears can be a gift; just letting it all out can make room for optimism and positivity to settle in.
Check on neighbors, especially ones living alone, by slipping a note under their door with your phone number. If they don’t have anyone to talk to, can you imagine their loneliness? Rack your brain for all those people in your life who live alone and by all mean, give ’em a holler. Set up Zoom game nights, happy hours, and other fun activities, like trivia night. It gives you all something to look forward to after the monotonous day-to-day.
If you are able to offer monetary support, I gave several options in my J-post, but here are some other things you can do:
- Chip in to support your building staff (if you live in an apartment building). Someone in our building posted in our online resident portal (that no one ever reads) that she’d like to start a fund for our building staff. Only myself and a couple of others replied, so she printed off little slips of paper explaining what we’d like to do and divvied them up so we could distribute them under everyone’s doors–a great way to start a project and keep our distance.
- Shop small business . So many folks who make a living as artists are really having a rough time. Get on Etsy and do some shopping (you can find some very cool masks right now). I just bought some earrings from a local artist I met last Christmas. She’s thrilled to have the support and I’m thrilled to have unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Think about these folks and consider doing your birthday and holiday shopping now. This is also the perfect time to get used to the practice of shopping local and supporting the little guys, because even when this quarantine is over, we ought to make some serious changes about where our money goes. Authors are also artists, so buy books from a local bookseller, or even the author’s website. (Bonus: they may even sign it for you.) One author friend, is donating 35% of proceeds to Direct Relief, so boom! You support both the author and a good cause.
- Order from local restaurants still offering take out. If you want to continue enjoying [insert your favorite restaurant meal] when this is all “over,” then hang up your pots and pans and let the pros cook. So many restaurants have already closed up for good here and it feels like it’s only the beginning.
- Make a list of all the local places you love that are in danger of closing their doors for good and rally the troops. So many businesses, from hair dressers to bakeries, to health care providers, are changing up the way they do business so they can still service their customers; keep tabs on what they’re up to and continue your patronage. Look, even if despite all efforts these businesses have to close, at least you tried. That’s so much better than making Jeff Bezos even richer.
What are some ways you’re offering your support? The more we share these things, the more we can help!
I love the photos of the street art! As you know, we have the painted utility boxes and pianos around town, but it’s great to come across an unexpected artistic expression of any size in any spot.
As for support, so many people need so much of it right now that it can feel overwhelming. You nailed it with making a list of four or five things that are important and doable. Buy some gifts? Sure. Make a donation to the food bank? Absolutely.
What wonderful images. For a long time I have wanted to tour my own home town and create a video about our street art. Soon I hope to have some good video equipment so maybe… but there are other priorities first.
I see so much of this paradigm where there is bad news on the internet and next thing I know everyone is posting comforting words and such but I’m often a little skeptical. I usually sense that these words, conveniently entered on a convenient keyboard are the full extent of the supporter’s intentions and I wonder – are the words even reaching their intended audience? Often I know that they are not! And are we really just comforting ourselves? Are we just assuring ourselves that we are nice?
I usually think more in practical terms. If I am within reach of the affected I will send a note that says “Here’s my availability. What can I do for you to be helpful?” And it seems like these overtures are rarely acted on, if even acknowledged. I have even heard this approach criticized. I have even heard men in general being criticized for always wanting to fix everything instead of just talking about it. Is this a female / male thing where we tend to think differently?
I suppose there are those who think their good deed for the day is to retweet a kind meme, or share some encouraging words on social media somewhere, and if that’s all they do, well, then that’s fine; it’s not for me to worry about or judge. They’re still working through whatever level their soul is at. Then I think, maybe that post was seen by someone who DOES act on it; who DOES do something kind that makes a difference, perhaps even spurs someone else to be helpful. You can think of it as all of us having a role; someone posts a few encouraging words (sincere or not), someone sees it and pays it forward. I focus on the kindness and support that I give and if I fall into the trap of assuming others are only faking it, then, I’m no better than they are (assuming they really are faking it).
It’s not a stretch to say that women tend to be more nurturing and men step away from the touchy feely so that they be “the fixer,” but these are also roles society has forced upon us. It’s easy to not do anything because “men aren’t supposed to do that.” We can easily get hung up on what gender roles we’re told to play–it can be an excuse to not do anything. How about just being a human? Our soul nature is to be kind and loving, so ignore the critics–let them blabber on all they want–and do what your soul tells you to. I don’t think it matters that men and women “think differently” (there are a million reasons for that and a lot of them have to do with societal norms). Think like a human and tap into your ooey-gooey center we all have and be kind regardless what a few un-evolved souls think (in fact, they’re the ones who could probably use the kindness the most).
P.S. You’re in Canada, right? We spent some time in Toronto last year–talk amazing street art.
I’m not far from Toronto. Actually I’m getting temporary work in Toronto; three shifts a week for the moment.
Yeah I’m hip to your perspectives entirely, and I personally have no use for gender-normativeness (let’s say that’s a word). I know many nurturing men, myself included who deserve a little credit for our virtue. But it’s my habit to examine human behavior. It’s key to my goals and I don’t intend to judge but I do mean to try to understand ourselves better. Because I do the virtual hug at times, which is so easy, and unlike most people, it would seem, I’m rarely inclined to make assumptions about my own motives. My ego and I have not been on speaking terms for a long time. Who knows what that little beast has been up to?
You’re right; and I think if more men received credit for their nurturing behavior, it wouldn’t be so taboo, or even criticized. And trying to understand human behavior is vital to knowing how to change it–for the better.
I took about a 200 pictures of Toronto street art back in September. Make sure you take a trip down Graffiti Alley–it’s a marvel.